Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-05
Sullivan at the White House.
New York World,

Among the distinguished visitors at
the White House today was Colonel John
L. Sullivan, who called to pay his respects
to President Cleveland. Colonel Sullivan
and his manager, "Pat' Shcedy, were
driven from their hotel in an open coupe
to the White House, arriving there at
about lis. The colonel wore his newest
Prince Albert coat, with its silk lapel
icings showing resplendently under the
bright April sun. He wore also tie latest
style of silk hat, which was drawn few
degrees out of line over the left eye.
From the outside pocket in Colonel
Sullivan's coat peeked the corner of a
linen handkerchief. with numerous figures
of hOrseshoes about the size of trade
dollars. The hand of the Massachusetts,
colonel were incased IN yellow dogskin
gloves with the prevailing black stitching
at the back. Sullivan and his companion
passed into the east parlor, where there
were already two or three hundred men
and women awaiting the coming of the
President. Colonel Sullivan took a mod
est position in the rear of the room, i'm
mediately in front of the lifesize paint
ing of Martha Washington. AS he stood
gazing at the painting he asked his man
ager who the person represented in the
picture was. Upon being told it was the
wife of the first President the young
colonel from Boston remarked: eff that
is good picture of her see was a daisy,
but there are many finer-looking girls in
Boston" During this time a ring had
been formed around him by the interest
ed spectators, which gavo the colonel the
appearance of being very much at home.
Promptly at 1:30 the double doors lead
ing from the hall to the east room were
opened, when the President appeared
and took his usual position. One by one
the crowd passed out, after shaking hands
with him. When the room was compare
lively empty, Mr.. Sheedy advanced and
took the Presidents hand, when he pre-
sented Colonel Sullivan in the following
manner:
"Mr. President, want to introduce to
you John l.. Sullivan of Boston, the
champion pugilist Of the world. He
comes to pay his respects as one cham
pion to another" Colonel Sullivan
advanced and took the Presidents hand.
"Well, Mr.. Sullivan" said the President
II am glad to meet you. I have heard of
you great many times. You are not as
large man as I expected to see." The
President, however, showed signs of
wincing as the champion pugilist gave
him the grip.
"Mr. President" Sullivan responded,
you are looking great deal filter than I
expected to find you, judging fr,m what
I have seen in the papers" He then gave
the presidents right arm squeeze, and
added: "You are little soft, though,
and need a half-dozen Turkish baths to
put you in condition" The President
then doubled his biceps and asked Sui
livan "to feel his muscle" Sullivan did
so with a patronizing air, but remarked
deprecatingly:
Il am afraid you would hardly stay
four rounds. You ought to have a little
go with me every morning for a month
Or so. That would put you in condition
to handle those guys who travel up here
every day to bother you"
Before taking his leave the champion
extended cordial invitation to the Pre-
sident to witness his exhibition in the
evening. sect off aud come down." said
he. Il will be glad to see YOU" After
getting on the outside, Sullivan remark
ed to Sheedy that he was very much
taken with the President and glad TO
have the opportunity of meeting him.